What is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is a neural condition caused by the compression or irritation of the ulnar nerve (also known as the “funny bone” nerve). Compression of the ulnar nerve can cause numbness or tingling in the little fingers and ring fingers as well as general weakness in the hand. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome causes pain that is similar to the pain you feel when you hit the “funny bone” in your elbow except the pain tends to remain for a prolonged period of time. The ulnar nerve runs on the side of the neck and ends in the last two fingers and it has different compressions points. The nerve can get compressed underneath the collarbone, forearm or at the wrist. However, the nerve is most commonly compressed at the elbow.

Causes

There are a number of factors that can cause cubital tunnel syndrome:

• Repetitive or prolonged activities that require the elbow to bend and extend e.g. cleaning, bicep curls
• Prior fracture or dislocation of the elbow
• Bone spurs/arthritis of the elbow
• Swelling of the elbow joint

Symptoms

• • Pain and numbness in the elbow
  • Tingling, especially in the ring and little fingers
  • Decreased hand grip
  • Muscle wasting in the hand

We can successfully treat cubital tunnel syndrome. No one should manage chronic pain alone.

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